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Sir David Willcocks (1919-2015)

Sir David Willcocks, Honorary Fellow, has died aged 95. Sir David died peacefully at home on the morning of Thursday 17 September.

Sir David's connection with King's began as an Organ Scholar in 1939; he was elected to a Fellowship in 1947 and subsequently held the post of Director of Music from 1957 to 1974.

Stephen Cleobury, Director of Music since 1982, writes:

David Willcocks, whose connection with King's goes back to his arrival as Organ Scholar (1939), made, during his lifetime, a contribution to the music of King's – Chapel and College – of immeasurable value. The legacy of his tenure as Organist and Director of Music (1957-1974) is to be seen in the many musicians whom he mentored and encouraged here at King's and in Cambridge generally, who have gone on to make their own successful careers in music; in his many published arrangements and occasional compositions; and, above all, in his long catalogue of recordings with the Chapel Choir, in many of which the Choir was joined by a prestigious orchestras and distinguished soloists. He set new standards for choral singing not only here, but through his wide influence, all over the world. The College owes him an immense debt of gratitude.